Loose Leaf

The Official Blog of American Forests

2013’s Top 13

Today, 2013 comes to an end. Many have said that 13 is an unlucky number, but 2013 hasn’t been all unlucky. After all, it was the year of our 45 millionth Global ReLeaf tree in the ground, a comeback for Siberian tigers, the launch of our Community ReLeaf program and good news for the Kirtland’s warbler. So, before heading into 2014, we’re taking this last chance to embrace the number 13. Here are the 13 Loose Leaf posts of 2013 that you — our readers — enjoyed the most. Thanks for reading! Please join us again in 2014!

Sometimes you just need a little simplicity. That’s where nature can come in. Or, some beautiful prose. On the birthday of American author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, we took some time to enjoy both.

A new report brought tidings of a recovery of tigers in a few key Asian ecosystems, one of which was very familiar to American Forests: the Siberian forests where trees we helped plant a decade ago in “Trees for Tigers” are now maturing.

This year’s Capitol Christmas Tree came from Colville National Forest in northeastern Washington. It’s quite a different tradition from that of the National Christmas Tree, which has been a live tree throughout most of its history ever since American Forests donated the first live tree in ___

Okay, many of you joined us in wishing Zion a happy birthday, but Sequoia National Park — and the world’s largest trees that live within it — seem to have captured even more hearts, at least among readers here on Loose Leaf.

We celebrate animals every day at American Forests, with restoration projects around the world that benefit wildlife by restoring habitat and connecting fragmented habitat. But it’s always nice to take some time out on World Animal Day to reflect on the species we share the forests with.

…takes us back to the monarchs of Michoacán — and reveals the organized crime that has had a hand in reducing the monarchs’ numbers until the world’s population of fit into an area smaller than four football fields.